Natural Chin Implant Surgery in Harley Street, London

A chin implant is a surgical procedure that places a shaped implant over the chin bone to restore projection, definition and facial balance. A small or recessed chin (medically termed microgenia) can make the nose appear larger, soften the jawline and reduce the definition of the neck angle, all of which affect overall facial harmony. A well-placed chin implant restores the natural proportions of the face, bringing the chin into balance with the nose, lips and jaw. In women, this restores harmony and natural beauty. In men, a defined chin is one of the characteristics often seen as a sign of masculinity-  a chin implant can meaningfully strengthen a male profile. In approximately 20% of patients seeking rhinoplasty, Dr De Silva identifies a small chin on profile assessment and recommends chin augmentation alongside nose reshaping to achieve the most balanced result.

Dr De Silva's preferred technique is insertion of the chin implant through a small hidden incision in the natural crease beneath the chin- the sub-mental approach. This incision is less than 15mm in length and is positioned discretely under the chin, making it difficult to see in everyday life. He specifically avoids the intra-oral approach- insertion through the inside of the mouth,  as this carries a higher risk of infection, longer recovery, and disruption to one of the lip muscles that affects fine movements. Each implant is individually sculpted to the patient's unique jaw line, as every jaw line is different and requires a different three-dimensional enhancement. Dr De Silva secures every implant with specialist titanium mini-screws to prevent movement or rotation; a complication he has treated in patients operated on elsewhere. These screws are approximately 8mm in size, cannot be seen or felt, and do not trigger airport security.

Dr De Silva's preference is silicone chin implants. Silicone is lifelong in durability, can be precisely sculpted to fit each patient's individual jaw line, and, unlike most implant materials, can be completely removed if a patient ever wishes to reverse the procedure. This is a meaningful distinction: other materials used in chin augmentation, including Medpor and Gore-Tex, are significantly more difficult to remove because surrounding soft tissue grows into the material over time. Silicone implants remain separate from the surrounding tissue, making reversal straightforward. The implant requires no ongoing management once in place - superficial stitches are removed at one week, and the remaining internal stitches dissolve over three to six months.

Yes, and it frequently is. Chin implant surgery is one of the most commonly combined procedures in facial cosmetic surgery because facial balance and proportion are assessed as a whole. A small chin on the side profile creates an imbalance that makes the nose appear larger and the neck less defined, addressing both the nose and the chin together produces a more harmonious result than treating either in isolation. Dr De Silva commonly combines chin implant surgery with rhinoplasty, facelift and neck lift surgery. The practical benefit is a single recovery period rather than two. The chin implant procedure itself takes less than one hour and adds minimal additional recovery time when combined with a longer procedure.

Chin implant surgery is performed under twilight sedation as an outpatient procedure; patients go home approximately thirty minutes after the procedure completes. Recovery is straightforward and significantly faster than procedures requiring general anaesthesia. A course of antibiotics is given for one week as a preventative measure against infection. Superficial stitches are removed at one week. A soft diet is advisable for the first week to avoid straining the jaw. Most patients feel comfortable being seen socially within one to two weeks, and normal activities can resume shortly after. Some temporary numbness in the chin area is normal as the nerve that provides sensation to this area adjusts- this typically resolves as healing progresses. Final results are visible once swelling fully resolves, typically within six to eight weeks.

Chin implant surgery is a straightforward and safe procedure with a well-understood risk profile. The most relevant risks are infection, bleeding and implant movement over time. Infection risk is minimised by Dr De Silva's preference for the sub-mental approach over intra-oral insertion, and by a preventative course of antibiotics. Implant movement - a complication Dr De Silva has corrected in patients operated on elsewhere, is specifically addressed by sculpting a narrow, deep pocket beneath the facial muscles and securing the implant with specialist titanium mini-screws. Scar complications occur in fewer than one percent of patients. Temporary numbness in the chin area is expected during healing and resolves as sensation returns. All risks are discussed in detail at consultation before any decision is made.